Philadelphia Museum of Art Explores Boxing Legends and Monuments in 'Rising Up'

The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents 'Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments,' an exhibition examining public monuments and sports hero worship through the lens of the iconic Rocky statue. Featuring over 150 works by more than 50 artists, the show includes pieces by Keith Haring, Rashid Johnson, Delilah Montoya, Tavares Strachan, Hank Willis Thomas, Kara Walker, Andy Warhol, Carrie Mae Weems, and participants from Mural Arts Philadelphia's Restorative Justice Program. Artifacts span 2,000 years, from ancient Greek amphorae to contemporary commissions. The exhibition surfaces lesser-told stories about Philadelphia's boxing legends, immigrant neighborhoods, and debates over public space. Louis Marchesano, the Marion Boulton "Kippy" Stroud Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation, noted that the Rocky statue attracts nearly as many annual visitors as the Statue of Liberty. Timed to the 50th anniversary of the film 'Rocky' (1976), Philadelphia's World Cup matches, and the city's Semiquincentennial, the exhibition opens April 25 with a pay-what-you-wish weekend. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker celebrated the announcement on Rocky Day, calling the show a testament to Philadelphia's arts, culture, and sports communities. The exhibition runs from April 25 to August 2, 2026, at the Dorrance Galleries.